How to increase breast milk supply

• Get enough rest. If you are too tired, your body will not have the energy to produce milk properly. So try to catch up on rest and sleep during the day if you are up a lot at night.
• Allow your baby to nurse frequently for as long as he wants. The more often your breasts are stimulated, the more milk your body produces. At least 8 feedings in a 24-hour period is ideal, more if possible.
• Offer your baby both breasts at every feeding to trigger your body to produce more breast milk. Switch breasts as soon as your baby slows down. If you can, switch again and offer each breast twice during a single feeding session to make sure your breasts are empty. Let your baby nurse for as long as possible, until he falls asleep or detaches.

Consume a Healthy Balanced Diet

• Eat at least eat five meals per day (3 main meals and 2 snacks)
• Increase your intake of starchy foods such as whole meal bread, pasta, rice and potatoes
• Have plenty of fiber, found in wholegrain bread and breakfast cereals, pasta, rice, pulses (such as beans and lentils), fruits and vegetables.

• Eat protein-rich foods, such as lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs and pulses
• Consume at least two portions of fish each week, including one portion of oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, or trout)
• Include dairy as part of your diet by consuming milk, cheese and yoghurt which contain calcium and are a useful source of protein.
• Eat when you feel hungry and choose healthy snacks.

Staying well hydrated

Drink 10-12 glasses of water per day (approximately 2.5 to 3.0 liters).Avoid drinking a lot of fluids that contain caffeine such as coffee and tea because it may affect your baby’s sleeping habits and make him more alert.

Here’s a list of foods to increase breast milk supply:

• Grains – oatmeal, quinoa, barley, brown rice, and millet
• Vegetables – asparagus, spinach, leafy greens, carrots, onions, yams, sweet potatoes , lauki , tori, and beet leaves
• Fruits – apricots, papaya, avocado, dates and figs
• Raw Nuts – cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts
• Herbs & Roots – ginger, garlic, marjoram, dill, anise, turmeric, caraway, basil, parsley
• Healthy Fats Salmon, olive oil, Butter, flaxseed oil, sesame oil
• Seeds Fenugreek seeds, fennel, cumin, black sesame, dill seeds, pumpkin & flax seeds
• Pulses or lentils: Pulses, red lentils or masoor dal

Nurse frequently and long enough

Breastfeed at least 8-12 times per day for approximately 20-30 minutes per session, the more the breast is suckled, the more milk it will produce.

Ensure baby is properly positioned and latched on well

Poor positioning and a shallow latch-on can reduce the amount of milk baby gets.

Try breast compression

Once baby is latched on well, try to apply gentle pressure to the breast using your hand which could help the milk flow more quickly and keep baby interested in feeding actively for longer.

Express milk after feedings

Recent research indicates that after the first month of natural breastfeeding, emptying the breast fully appears to be more effective at increasing the rate of milk production.

Be comfortable and relaxed while pumping

Take good care of yourself. Fatigue and stress can interfere with your let-down which is why it is important to eat and rest well.